SawxBlog

A Grand Night for the Red Sox - Cruise Past Indians - Gear Up for Playoffs

V-Mart gets a heroes welcome after his Grand Slam last night. (AP Photo) Last nights contest started off like a hurricane - however, ended like a breeze, as the Red Sox blew away the Cleveland Indians 11-6 in the Fens. The night started off with some some trepidation as Josh Beckett was once again looking very human on the mound. Josh settled down all right enough, however - I have to admit, I'm not going to be overly confident when he takes the mound next against the Angels. He's been giving up a lot of hits, and just does not look like the Josh Beckett we saw in the first half, and is suspiciously looking eerily similar to how he did last year heading into the playoffs. Servicable - but nowhere near the dominance we've come to expect out of the right hander from Texas.

Sox wrap-up another successful season today and then the real season begins again, and it's about time.

Dice-K OK - Gonzo Not? - Curse of Nomar Garciaparra Still Looms Heavy

Dice-k Looks to be an X-Factor for the Sox in the coming weeks. (AP Photo)

The biggest question coming out of last nights 6-2 win over the Cleveland Indians is the status of Alex Gonzalez's hand. Gonzo was hit on the hand by a Kerry Wood fastball and after taking X-Rays last night they were, according to Terry Francona, “a little bit inconclusive.’’ Uh-Oh, that's not good, and much like the Lester scare in the Bronx, this could be a worse case scenario for the Red Sox. Is this just going to be another strange and twisted chapter in the "The Curse of Nomar Garciaparra" book?

Gonzo has been a rock for the Sox at shortstop since rejoining the club, and of any position on the team, this is the one that was most volatile heading into the playoffs - and the one we least likely could afford an injury in. If the worst case scenario comes true today, your starting shortstop and number nine hitter is going to be Chris Woodward in the playoffs which - no offense to Woodward - is a dramatic drop-off in absolutely every feasible category except for youth. Woodward has played in only 33 MLB games this year and has accumulated an unimpressive .215 batting average and has a disparaging 7 walks to his 19 strikeouts. Cross your fingers Sox fans, we should no more later today, however if Gonzo's out, this is a huge hit.

Random Musings

Speaking of curses, I'd like to personally thank the editors of Sports Illustrated for placing Mariano Rivera on their cover heading into the playoffs. Sports Illustrated cover jinx, commence! (Props to my Dad who's visiting for pointing this out to me.

The latest stories that are out now involving Ted Williams are a complete shame. Lets just say they involve a hammer, a tuna can, and his head. Such a shame that this mans legacy has been tarnished by his off-balanced children. If he had a grave, he'd be rolling around in it.

Sorry Angels - Jon Lester's Just Fine

Jon Lester shows his appreciation to the Fenway Faithful. (AP Photo) All I have to say is thank God Lester's OK. For me at least, I exhaled a huge sigh of relief upon seeing his performance last night. Next stop for Jon Jon, Game 1 of the ALDS in California - can't wait.

Red Sox Tickets Still Full Price: Talent on Field Not So Much - Move Over Beatles, It's The Boston Baseball Band

Tim Wakefield yuks it up with future NESN host Kevin Millar last night. (AP Photo)

I hope the NESN advertisers are listening - because I didn't watch one inning of last nights "game" - and honestly am not planning on watching too much of any of these "games" if this is what they're going to be like. It looked like Pawtuckett was facing off against Roy Halladay last night, as the Red Sox are now in full-on "Get Ready for the Playoffs" mode. I understand where they're coming from and all - it just doesn't seem like they been actually trying to win these games since that Series in Kansas City, and I fear they may be getting a little too cold heading into the playoffs. It's a little embarrassing how we're limping in, but I guess the good ball they played earlier in the year has afforded them this luxury. It's too bad that the fans at the games can't afford it though, as Fenway's still the most expensive ballpark in the country, and this should serve as a lesson for Boston Red Sox fans. When buying tickets at the beginning of the season don't both bother with the last three weeks of the season - because unless they're in the heat of a playoff race you'll be paying top dollar for JV level talent. Hey - at least you got to see Dusty Brown pitch in the 9th inning last night right? Yeah...not so much.

On a lighter - and much more fun note - I'll leave you with a couple of songs recorded by The Boston Baseball Band. I was approached by their record label, Motern Media Production Company, to help promote the band and I have to admit, I had no clue how to act at first because I couldn't tell how serious of a band they were. I even asked them in my initial reply to see if this was an honest effort or an ironic take on being a Sox fan. Either way, it's pretty damn hilarious, and not knowing their true angle makes it all that much more...well, interesting.

Think of the songs as kind of cross between a radio jingle with a little bit of Jonathan Richman thrown in for good measure. The title's of their songs are what make me the most happy with songs such as "Heidi Watney, You Got Me to Forget About Hazel Mae" and "Rob Bradford is a Great Reporter!". Below you'll find a preview of a song from their latest album, "Life Without Manny (isn't so bad!)" which I suggest you pick up on either CDBaby or iTunes.

Joba Chamberlain Hates Kevin Youkilis -

Yankees Clinch AL East (Yawn) - Proposal to Ban Connecticut From New England - DD Perks Rewards = Whole Bunch of Awesomeness

Dustin Pedroia looks on as the AL East Title Officially went to the Yanks. (AP Photo)

The NY Yankees clinched their first AL East Title since 2006 yesterday completing a three game sweep over the Red Sox. The Yanks have had the East wrapped up for quite some time now and this was more of a formality than anything. Props to the Yanks though for overcoming a slow first half and gaining home field for as long as they're in the playoffs, something any team would love to have. NY and Boston has, not surprisingly, been the toughest places for opposing ball clubs to play all season long - with the Yankees going 55-23 in their new Stadium and the Sox going an equally impressive 52-22 at Fenway - both home records tops in baseball. The Yankees effectively won the division with the torrid hot start they had after the All-Star break and never really looked back. Despite the Red Sox being the hottest team in the last fourth or so of the season, the Yanks really didn't falter at all, and always kept the Sox at arms length away. So again - props.

Aside from listening to the first half of Friday nights game on the radio I didn't pay attention to an additional pitch of the series because the games really had no weight attached to them. The division was lost long ago for the Sox, and the real nail in the coffin was when they lost those first two games to the Royals last week. When you have less than half a percentage point in your favor, it's time to start looking elsewhere. I think the Lester indecent on Friday night confirmed how the Sox were approaching this series, as the lineups Francona was marching out there with were fairly passive - sitting Jason Bay and Victor Martinez on back-to-back days. The Sox most likely will clinch the Wild Card in the next three days as their magic number now sits at two. It'll be good for them to celebrate in Fenway, and who knows, there may even be a Papelbon Bud Light Head sighting, one can only pray. Either way, it's all about staying healthy now, and aligning the team for the postseason.

Early yesterday afternoon, after driving through a rain soaked Bronx, I finally entered what I assumed was going to be friendly territory in Connecticut, and more importantly, Pats Country. Prior to entering CT I was flipping between the Jets and Giants games on the radio while only getting the occasional updates on the Patriots game. I thought nothing of it though, for I was after-all bombing down the Saw Mill River Parkway in NY, so that's what I expected. However upon crossing over into CT (a half an hour in mind you) these still were my only options. Not only were those the only games I could listen to on the radio, but the billboards, bumper stickers, etc. were all NY based. I understand that CT is the purgatory battle ground between Massachusetts and

New York, however - if it really is divided 50/50 with their sports loyalties, than I say we cut CT off like a bad case of gangrene, they don't deserve to embrace the title of New England if no true loyalty is defined. I say we create our Mason Dixon at Massachusetts. We'll keep Rhode Island obviously because of Narragansett Beer and Block Island, but I say Sainara to Connecticut. It's like the spoiled rich brat cousin of New England who'd really rather hang out with the kids from Shelbyville then the good ol' citizens of Springfield anyways. Long story short - After much scanning and hissing I realized my rental car had SIRIUS Satellite Radio and problem solved, still, CT's on the blacklist.

Lastly, SawxBlog will be representing at Fenway Park tomorrow as part of the Dunkin’ Donuts DD Perks Rewards program. If you're not a member of the Perks Program yet then I highly suggest you get down on it. As part the program you'll have the opportunity to win all sorts of great New England sports packages. SawxBlog will be accompanying 50 DD Perks Winners with a personal tour of Fenway which will culminate with some batting practice in their batting cages as well as meeting lasts years AL MVP - Dustin Pedroia. Pictures and a full report to be placed after, and if you have any questions you'd like me to ask Dustin holler in the comments section. Please read below for more on the Perks Program:

DD Perks is a customer loyalty program that gives Dunkin’ Donuts customers the opportunity to “Earn, Save and Score” unique rewards simply by using their Dunkin’ Donuts Card. The program runs through December 31. Consumers can easily enroll in the program by visiting www.DunkinDonuts.com/score and register their Dunkin’ Donuts Card.

The Night the Red Sox 2009 Season Flashed Before my Eyes

Hearing this scene on the radio made my stomach turn. (AP Photo)Last night's game made me feel absolutely sick to my stomach, caused me to speed a little faster than planned, and almost had me veer off the road and into some desolate New Jersey guardrail. I was traveling from Boston to Jersey with my fiancée for some time with family and along with wedding planning (sorry ladies), and amid listening to the game through the crackle of AM radio - I almost had a heart attack. I already have a checkered past in relation to listening to Red Sox games on the radio and having dramatic events occur, and last night was no exception.

During the 2004 ALCS, like most of you, I was a complete and utter basket case - and as Game 6 was unfolding I came to the conclusion that I could no longer watch the game in the accompaniment of my roommates and friends. So I left my apartment living room, grabbed my shower radio, and went on my back porch with a couple of beers and racing thoughts to take in the anxiety of the game by myself. It was shortly after I made this decision that the infamous A-Rod "slap play" occurred, and my memory of the incident will forever be engrained in my head. Hearing Joe Castiglione call that play had visions of Buckner and Boone dance rapidly through my head, and as he screamed, "ARROYO DROPPED THE BALL!!!" I literally fell to my knees of my third floor apartment deck, and let out one of the most guttural and primal screams of my life. The most

disheartening part about this moment was the stereo sound of very similar cries of anguish that came all around me from fellow neighbors, as the entire Brighton neighborhood was tossed into what seemed like an inevitable downward spiral. Obviously the good guys ended up winning, but I'll never forget that moment of naked despair as I stared alone on my Boston porch with only the crackling of the AM radio.

Last night was no very different for me. Obviously the stakes weren't as high, however without Lester, the 2009 Red Sox season is over. He's been the ace of the staff all year, and having that play happen was basically a worse case scenario for the Sox. I'm not sure how dramatic it all was while watching on TV, but trust, hearing this on the radio while cruising through enemy territory was like a swift punch to an non-flexed stomach. It wasn't until this morning that I discovered the X-Rays were negative, but still, in what was already a meaningless game, this knocked the collective wind out of my sails - and brought back deep awful flashbacks of rivalries past. 

As a Sox fan you just have to hold your breath and hope this is nothing more than a deep bruise, but if anything this shows you how thin the razor's edge can be for a ball club. Like I said yesterday though, "you have to expect the unexpected with these two" - and last night certainly proved this.

Clay Buchholz Still Smoking - Good Things Come in Three's

Buchholz has been smoking hot for the Sox - And is your #3 Starter. (SawxBlog Illustration)

The doubt is now all but erased. Clay Buchholz is your number three starter today - and quite possibly your number one or two starter tomorrow. So lets take a look at three things that are making me happy on this beautiful Friday.

Clay Buchnuts - People are crediting Clay's recent success to going down to the minors and working on his mental state - while perfecting the plus pitches he already possessed. However, with that said - we both know that's complete hogwash. I tend to think that his future bride has to be be having some positive vibrations rolling his way in 2009, but I've also been looking for an excuse to post a picture of Lindsay here for awhile now, so who knows. In all seriousness though, Clay has been everything the Red Sox could have hoped for, and aside from the acquisition of V-Mart, he's been the stabilizing force for the Red Sox down this stretch run. The calm he's brought to Sox rotation has been astounding. When he's on the mound people are no longer looking to see how he performs, they aren't waiting for him to revert to his 2008 form - they're just expecting him to pitch well and get the win, and that's the strongest testament I can give to him. He has given faith back to the Faithful - and there's no eternal hope in October.

The Large Father - David Ortiz has placed the cape back on and has morphed back into Big Papi. I famously wrote David off back in early May, however I have to admit it - the slugger has shown perseverance that I wasn't sure he quite possessed. With him nearing in on 100 RBI you have to be happy with his production, especially with the slump and controversy he's dealt with this year. I still don't think we'll ever see the Big Papi we saw in the past, however he's certainly performed close to those standards in recent months, and we all know he shines brightest come October. With him hitting like Big Papi again the Sox line-up is at a fearsome level on par with teams of years past. Think about it. Pedroia, Youk, V-Mart, Bay, Papi. There's just nowhere for a pitcher to rest.

Big Papi is Dead. Long Live Big Papi.

Where The Wild Things Are - The Wild Card is now all but in the Red Sox grasp, as the Magic Number has dropped down to three. Just to show how strange and weird the 2009 season has been, we can possibly find both the Yankees and Red Sox celebrating in NYC this weekend. The Sox with a playoff birth, and the Yankees with the AL East Title. It seems fitting though, and this weekend will be more about two teams feeling each other out than the heated games we've become accustomed between these two. But as always with the Sox and Yanks, you have to expect the unexpected with these two.

Red Sox Inch Closer to Wild Card

V-Mart & Papelbon meet as the Sox inch closer to the playoffs. (AP Photo)

As the sun sets on the 2009 regular season, the Boston Red Sox are looking to get everything in its right place for what hopefully equates to a deep playoff push. With last nights win over the Royals the Sox magic number dropped down to five games, while they also sit five games away from their yearly organizational goal of 95 total wins. I'm getting pretty excited for the playoffs to get under way, and have to admit that after the intensity of the Angels series last week, these games against the O's and Royals seem very much of the Junior Varsity variety. That said, the Sox can't let themselves be lulled into complacency and let things like their bats become sluggish.

This type of situation is actually ideal for the Sox, and is allowing them to rest those who'll need it (Iron Mike Lowell), and they can really line-up the work their pitching staff needs. For example, they could afford to have V-Mart catch Beckett last night, thus giving them some real game experience to assimilate to each other. If the Sox are battling for the Division or even Wild Card here they wouldn't be afforded this luxury. These are some of the benefits of being stuck in this end of season purgatory, and it really gives the Sox the best chance to win come October. With 11 games to go look to see who's getting playing time - and in particular who Tito's bringing in first off the bench. We already know that Joey Galloway Joey Gathright will be our speed, however who'll be our Kotsay this year, and will Casey Kotchman actually get meaningful AB's in the playoffs (I hope not)? Like everything time will tell, so embrace these meaningless games, as there's a plethora of intensity awaiting just over the horizon.

Angels Win a Tough One: Jason Varitek - Still Bad At Baseball

David Ortiz shows his frustration after striking out  in the bottom of the 9th. (AP Photo)

If last night proved anything, it proved that the ALDS match-up between the Red Sox and Angels is going to be a good one. I have to give the Angels credit here - on a night where their greatest slugger was out of the line-up (Vlad the Impaler) they still found a way to score enough runs off of two of Boston's best pitchers (Beckett & Wagner). They came from behind late, got a key bloop hit (this sounding familiar?), and most importantly for them - they were able to instantly erase the stench & bad karma that surrounded the previous nights game. So props to the Angels. They ended our winning streak, won a tight game in Fenway, and were able to grab some momentum that may very well carry over into the playoffs.

What left a bitter taste in my mouth with this game is the past ball on strike three from Jason Varitek, which ended up tying the game at 3-3 for the Angels. This is the second night in a row this has happened late in the game on a key third strike with Varitek, and it seems pretty unacceptable and Little League to me. We all know and unfortunately accept that V-Tek can't hit his way out of a wet paper bag anymore as he's now hitting a Michael Jordan-like .212 in 345 AB's. Pathetic. I'll give him credit for having productive AB's even though he's not getting hits I guess, which is evident with his .317 OBP. However - that's not going to cut it for me. We all know he "calls a great game", but if you can't hit a baseball, can't throw out a runners stealing bases, and can't stop key pitches from going through your five hole in a playoff atmosphere then what exactly are you doing to help this team win games? Maybe he's distracted because Nick Green's now tapping Heidi Watney, who knows.

I understand V-Tek's a good leader and is a calming force for our pitchers, however, does that ball get past V-Mart or even Dusty Brown for that matter? Tek's been an all-time great for the Sox, no doubt about it, but he looks like a dead-man walking out there, and you just pray he doesn't do something like last night to cost us a playoff game.

When the Going Gets Weird, the Weird turn to GONZO - Another Walk-Off in the Fenway Park for Boston

The Red Sox jubilantly celebrate their 4th walk-off of 2009 and 10th win in row @ Fenway. (AP Photo)

Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls - mark your calenders, for come the first week in October your Boston Red Sox will be playing in the 2009 MLB Playoffs. Last night is most certainly a preview of what the ALDS will look like as the Red Sox and Angels seem destined once again to square off in the first round. The Red Sox have played in the ALDS five times so far in the 2000's and they've faced the Angels three of those times, beating them each and every series. The contests haven't even been very close as the Sox hold a record of 9-1 against the Angels in these playoff meetings, and that's a trend I sure hope continues. The Angels certainly don't seem comfortable playing the Red Sox as the weather gets cooler and that was evident last night as they showed both a lack of guts and too much frustration.

For all the bitching and whining Mike Scioscia and his Angels may have about some questionable calls (yes that was strike three against Nick Green - but still, an absolutely epic AB) - in a game that was as back and forth and weird as this one last night, it seems seems rather short sighted to pinpoint one particular moment in the game. The Angels probably should have wrapped this one up in the 6th inning had it not been for some sloppy defense up the middle, however thanks to V-Tek (still calls a great game right!) the Sox had their own error that allowed the Angels to not only get back in it, but re-gain the lead. Also don't forget, the Angels choked two times with the bases-loaded and only one out, and that fault certainly wasn't the umps. Basically what I'm saying here is that both teams had their chances, and neither could deliver a knock-out punch until the bottom of the ninth.

My favorite part about this win is that the Red Sox did it completely and thoroughly as a team. Each player who was active played a role in this. From Byrd, to Saito, to Lowrie, to Kotchman, to....well - everyone. Gonzo's continuing to be a shot of Red Bull to this team, and Nick Green showed a lot of guts with his at-bat, one of the best of the year so far, can't say enough about everything he's done for the Sox this year as Nick may very well be our unsung MVP. Also to consider is the fact that we won this game without our number three or four hitters (Youk & v-Mart)- and also without Papelbon. This was a character building win if I've ever seen one, and with the whole team being involved it should go a very, very long way.

Here's the difference between these two teams. When Gonzo hits that flare to LF in the bottom of the 9th Juan Rivera has to dive after that ball. I guarantee you that if the tables were turned Jay Bay goes all out for that ball. No way he lets it drop @ his ankles without getting dirty, and that's the difference, when the going gets tough in these intense games the Angels get going, and that's fine by me.

And to properly celebrate this walk-off, I present to you this classic:

It's A Walk-Off